Recognizing Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

Anytime you leave your child in the care of someone else, a part of you is always concerned with whether or not they are being cared for properly. This is especially true when your child is not old enough to speak, or can clearly tell you what is going on while they are away.

When your circumstances make it necessary for you to take your child to day care, or hire a babysitter, it important for you to be observant of the way your child is being handled while you are there.

It is also important to regularly examine your child physically, as well as take note of their mood when you are taking them to day care, and their mood after you pick them up. If your child suddenly becomes sad or reclusive when the baby sitter arrives, or when you arrive at day care, it could be a sign of deeper issues.

Some of the most common signs of child abuse or neglect include:

Unexplained changes in behavior

Withdrawal

Cuts and scrapes

Bruises

Burns

Feelings of fear

In some cases, children can be abused or neglected while visiting a parent as part of a custody agreement. This can be extremely detrimental to the child because the child is being harmed by someone that he or she trusts. If it is discovered that your child is being abused or neglected by the other parent, you may be able to have the abusive parent’s visitation rights stripped or restricted. It is, however, difficult to prove abuse without hard evidence such as medical records. Keep in mind that the child can’t tell the court what is going on and you cannot report to any court what the child says. If you suspect abuse, take your child for a medical exam immediately. Even a day’s delay may hamper proof in restricting the other parent’s visitation rights.

When your child’s safety and well-being is threatened, it is important to take action immediately. With the help of a family law attorney in Spring, TX, you can get an accurate assessment of your legal options, and pursue justice for the wrongs that have been committed against your child.